Newly released dispatch audio reveals the intense moments after a medical helicopter made an emergency landing on a California highway, sparking a large rescue effort as traffic came to a halt.
The aircraft, carrying three crew members, went down on U.S. Highway 50 in Sacramento around 7:00 p.m. on October 6, 2025, shortly after dropping off a patient at UC Davis Medical Center. The crash started a fire on the highway and left paramedic Suzie Smith trapped under the wreckage.
Sacramento Fire Captain Peter Vandersluis, who was nearby, quickly reached the scene and led about 15 bystanders in an improvised rescue. Following his commands, they worked together to lift the helicopter while firefighters cut Smith free from her seatbelt. She was pulled out and rushed to the hospital in critical condition, along with the nurse and pilot.
Several witnesses described the helicopter descending unusually low before hitting the ground. Despite the dramatic scene, all three crew members survived, and no drivers were injured. Smith’s family thanked first responders and civilians for their quick action. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.
